Immunise Australia Program

The Immunise Australia Program aims to increase national immunisation rates by funding free vaccination programs, administering the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register and communicating information about immunisation to the general public and health professionals.

Latest news

Important information on pertussis vaccine

The Pertussis Chapter, 4.12, of the 10th Edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook has been updated and approved by the NHMRC CEO on 27 March 2015.

The Pertussis Chapter includes two changes to recommendations in the administration of pertussis containing vaccine:

a DTPa (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) booster at age 18 months to reduce pertussis notifications in the 1 – 3 year age group and to reduce transmission to younger siblings; and

a preference for pertussis vaccination (the reduced content dTpa formulation) in pregnant women (third trimester) to improve protection against pertussis in young infants.

The chapter also contains amendments which provide updated information and evidence.

Free Vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children this Flu Season

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged from six months to less than five years will be able to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program from 2015.

Indigenous children are five times more likely than non-Indigenous children to die from the flu, and are much more likely to be hospitalised.

Those who survive a severe flu can suffer lasting health complications including pneumonia, heart, blood system and liver problems.

Free influenza vaccines are also available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over, and people over six month who have specific medical condition that increase their susceptibility to influenza.

Important information about the 2015 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

The National Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Program for 2015 will commence on 20 April 2015.

This is later than most years, mainly because the 2015 southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine will contain three seasonal influenza strains, with two strain changes from the 2014 vaccine.

This double-strain change has caused manufacturing delays. A decision has been made to delay the program until sufficient supplies of influenza vaccine are available. The delay will not affect vaccine supply volumes, and no vaccine shortages are anticipated.

Evaluation of the National Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program

The final report of the evaluation of the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program has now been released.

The evaluation was undertaken by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), in collaboration with key partners. The evaluation focused on the implementation of the Program, evaluating its key strengths and challenges, as well as suggesting recommendations to improve implementation of similar vaccination programs in the future.

Overall, the evaluation is extremely positive and strongly supports Australia’s reputation as a world leader in implementing school-based immunisation programs and preventing HPV-related cancers and disease.

National Partnership Agreement on Essential Vaccines

Final Report of the Review of the National Partnership Agreement on Essential Vaccines.

The review of the National Partnership Agreement on Essential Vaccines (NPEV) was undertaken by Sapere Research Group for the Australian Government Department of Health. The NPEV review was conducted over the period from October 2013 to May 2014. The review examined and reported on the extent to which objectives, outcomes and / or outputs of the NPEV have been achieved, including an assessment of the performance benchmarks.

The review found that the NPEV has been effective in providing for the funding and delivery of a national, coordinated and integrated approach to maintaining and improving effective immunisation in Australia.

The Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments will be working together to further strengthen the NPEV in light of the review findings.

Clinical advice for immunisation providers regarding the use of Bexsero®

From 5 March 2014, the recombinant multicomponent meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero® (4CMenB) will be available through purchase on the private market. 4CMenB is registered for use in persons ≥2 months of age for the prevention of invasive disease caused by serogroup B meningococci. ATAGI recommends the prophylactic use of paracetamol with every dose of 4CMenB administered to children <2 years of age, to reduce the probability and severity of fever.

Understanding Childhood Immunisation (updated January 2014)

The Understanding Childhood Immunisation (UCI) booklet is an easy to understand resource aimed at informing parents and guardians on what immunisation is, why they should vaccinate their child/ren against vaccine preventable diseases, vaccines their child/ren will receive under the National Immunisation Program and addresses frequently asked questions.

National Immunisation Strategy

The National Immunisation Strategy articulates a vision for action for the National Immunisation Program (2013-2018). The emphasis of the Strategy is to improve immunisation coverage rates, address vaccine safety concerns, ensure secure vaccine supply for Australia into the future, and use data from various sources to better monitor and evaluate the National Immunisation Program.

Australian Immunisation Handbook (updated January 2014)

The 10th edition of the Handbook was approved by the NHMRC CEO on 25 January 2013 (with minor amendments approved by the CEO on 19/12/2013), under Section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992. In approving these guidelines the NHMRC considers that they meet the NHMRC standard for clinical practice guidelines.

There has been no change to any vaccine recommendations. The minor amendments correct inadvertent errors, clarify minor inconsistencies and provide updated information relating to web links and references.

Safety of Immunisation

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that vaccines provided to the public are safe and effective. The 'Safety of Immunisation' provides an overview of the process for registering vaccines for use in Australia and the approach to on-going monitoring of vaccine quality, safety and efficacy once they are in use.

Clinical advice for immunisation providers regarding the use of Menitorix® in delivering catch-up vaccinations

From 1 July 2013, the combined Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningococcal serogroup C (MenC) vaccine, Menitorix®, was added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule at 12 months of age. This combination vaccine replaces the single dose of monovalent meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MenCCV) and booster dose of monovalent Hib vaccine previously scheduled at 12 months of age, which means one less injection is required at this schedule point. However, due to the use of the combination vaccine, issues may arise when planning catch-up vaccinations for either MenC or Hib. ATAGI recommendations for planning catch-up vaccination schedules using the Hib-MenCCV combination vaccine, Menitorix®, are provided in the full clinical advice. Examples of acceptable approaches to a catch-up schedule for one catch-up scenario are provided in Table 1.

From 1 July 2013, a combined Haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal C
(Hib-MenC) vaccine will be added to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule.
The combined bivalent Hib-MenC vaccine will be given to children at the 12 month schedule point, and replaces the previous separate monovalent doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal C. The addition of this combined vaccine reduces the number of injections needed at the 12 month schedule point from three to two.

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance - School Entry Vaccination Requirements: Summary of the Evidence

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) - School Entry Vaccination Requirements: Summary of the Evidence, provides a summary of school entry immunisation requirements currently in place in Australia and summarises the published evidence on the impact of school entry requirements on coverage rates and disease incidence both in Australia and overseas.

From 1 July 2013, a combination measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children aged 18 months will be added to the National Immunisation Program. The MMRV vaccine replaces the separate measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine currently given to 4 year olds, and the varicella vaccine (for chickenpox) currently given to 18 month olds.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program
(February 2013)

The national school-based HPV Vaccination Program, provided through the National Immunisation Program, has been extended to include males. From February 2013, males aged 12-13 years will receive the HPV vaccine at school on an ongoing basis. Males aged 14-15 years will also receive the vaccine as part of a catch-up program until the end of the 2014 school year. Females ages 12-13 years will continue to receive the vaccine at school.

"The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers"(November 2012)

The Australian Academy of Science has produced ‘The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers’ to explain to the general public the scientific basis of immunisation and address common misconceptions. This easy to understand booklet will reassure people of the safety and effectiveness of immunising themselves and their family.